China, Nepal pledge stronger Belt and Road cooperation

China stands ready to work with Nepal to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and help the South Asian country transform from a landlocked country into a land-linked one, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

He made the remarks in Beijing during a meeting with Shishir Khanal, Nepal's new foreign minister.

Wang said China's friendly policy toward Nepal is aimed at all Nepali people, adding that Beijing has always placed relations with Kathmandu in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy.

China supports Nepal's new government in smoothly carrying out governance with the support of its people, Wang said.

And he added that China appreciates Nepal's firm commitment to the one-China principle and its staunch support for China on issues related to the Taiwan question and Xizang, which concern China's core interests.

He called on the two sides to make good use of various cooperation platforms and mechanisms, deepen practical cooperation, and promote people-to-people exchanges.

China encourages Chinese companies to invest in and do business in Nepal, he said, expressing the hope that Nepal will provide a fairer and more transparent business environment for them.

The two sides should also strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, Wang added.

Khanal said Nepal's new government is committed to people-centered development and will continue to follow a nonaligned foreign policy.

He thanked China for its long-term support for Nepal's national development and improvement of people's livelihoods, saying China has always treated Nepal as an equal and respected its sovereignty and independence.

Issues related to the Taiwan question and Xizang are China's internal affairs, Khanal said, adding that Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China policy, supports China's complete reunification, and will never allow any force to use Nepali territory to undermine China's interests.

Calling China's development an opportunity for Nepal, he said Nepal welcomes Chinese investment and is ready to provide a fair, law-based, and friendly business environment for Chinese enterprises.

He said Nepal will actively participate in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, enhance connectivity, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs.

Nepal endorses the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and stands ready to actively support the series of global initiatives proposed by China, Khanal added.